Hip support



July 15, 1958 c, GRANNAN 2,843,116

HIP SUPPORT Filed NOV. 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 N VEN TOR LOC(C$ATTORNEY HIP SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 30, 1955 INVENTOR o c\CS ATTORNEY United States Patent HIP SUPPORT Clara' Margaret Gran'nan,St. Petersburg, Fla. Application November 30, 1955, Serial No. 550,122

' 8 Claims. (Cl. 128-78) The present invention relates to a hipsupporting device. More particularly, the present invention relates to abody encircling garment that includes means for extending be neath theunderside of the hip, thereby being adapted to support the hip andacting to eliminate pain resulting from hip fatigue.

Hip fatigue is a common source of pain to those individuals who, byaccident or disease, have one hip displaced below the other. In suchcases, after a period of standing or walking, the pressure exerted onthe displaced hip causes considerable pain and discomfort. Even thoseindividuals who have no physical disability experience hip fatigue whensubjected to standing on their feet for extended periods of time.Heretofore, the only relief of hip fatigue has been to employ artificialmeans, such as crutches, which are cumbersome and, in most instances,difiicult to use, or to completely relieve the pressure on the hips bylying or sitting down. Frequently, it is necessary for an individual toremain on his feet for long periods of time and therefore when hipfatigue occurs, the individual is not able to relieve the strain bysitting down or to employ any artificial supporting means.

It is seen, therefore, that prior to the instant invention, thoseindividuals who suffered from hip fatigue were not alforded any relief,and therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hipsupporting means tocorrect and alleviate hip fatigue.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a garment which isprovided with support pads for supporting the underside of the hip ofthose individuals who are subjected to hip fatigue.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a supportinggarment for substantially elevating the hip to relieve pressure exertedthereon.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hipsupporting device which includes hip supporting pads that may be locatedbelow one or both of the hips of the individual on which the device isworn.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hipsupport which may be easily removed or placed on the individual with aminimum of effort.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant inventionwill be apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the garment embodying the hipsupport of the present invention, the hip supporting pad beingpositioned on the underside of the hip of the individual on which thegarment is worn;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the hip supporting garmentillustrated in Fig. l and is shown in the position of use;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the hip supporting garment illustrated in Figs.1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the hip supporting garment and isshown in the position assumed when the individual on which it is worn issitting;

' 5-5 of Fig. 2;

er Ice 2 Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines Fig.dis a modified form of the present invention showing a hip supportinggarment which includes a double strap construction;

Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view of the hip supporting garment shown inFig. 6 and illustrates the position of the supporting pads when theindividual on whom the garment is worn is in the sitting position; 7

Fig. 8 is a further modified form of the present invention showing afront elevational view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of the modified form of the inventionshown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged portion of the hip supporting means illustratedin Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in cross section of a detail of a modifiedform.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1 to 5, one formof the invention is shown therein and includes a hip supporting garmentgenerally indicated at 10. The garment 10 comprises a belt 11 that isadapted to encircle the waist of the wearer and may be formed withadjustable means to compensate for different size waists. The belt 11 isprovided with hooks and eyelets at the rear thereof as illustrated at 12in Fig. 4, or any other convenient joining means which enables thegarment to be easily and quickly applied to the wearer. Joined to thebelt 11 is a body portion 14 which, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, isadapted to cover only one hip of the wearer. The body portion 14 extendssomewhat lower at the rear than at the front of the garment andsubstantially covers the left buttock, as seen in Fig. l. The bodyportion 14 may be formed of any convenient elastic or flexible materialnormally used in abdominal encircling devices but, in the modificationshown in Figs. 1-5, is formed of a conventional fabric. Joined to thebody portion 14 and depending therefrom is a supporting strap 16 thatextends substantially front to rear and is of sufiicient width to haveformed therein a pocket 18. The pocket 18 is located on the inner sideof the strap 16 and receives therein a pad 19. The enclosed pad 19 isdisplaced slightly to the rear of the strap 16 so that contact with theunderside of thehip will be made when the garment is in the position ofuse. The strap 16 is formed of a conventional fabric, but may also beformed of a firm, resilient material, thereby being adapted to stretchslightly when it is applied to the wearer, for defining a firm supportwhen in the position of use. The pad 19, which is located in the pocket18, and which is disposed on the inner side of the strap 16, is formedof a soft, spongy material and is adapted to directly contact the lowerregion of the hip or the underside of the buttock of the wearer.

As shown in Fig. 3, the strap 16 is formed in overlapping layers ofmateriaL'the overlap being defined by the parting line 20. Theoverlapping layers enable the strap 16 to be parted and thereby enablethe wearer to be relieved without removing the garment.

The pocket 18, in which the pad 19 is placed, may be provided withsnaps, buttons or some convenient securing means for locking the pad 19in the pocket. The pad 19 may then be easily removed from the pocket 18when it is desired to clean the garment by simply unsnapping the padretaining means.

As described above, the body portion 14 is formed only a portion of theway around the abdominal area 3 straps 22 may depend from the lower endof the body portion 12 at the front and rear-thereof andare adapted toretain stockings in place, such as is commonly known in garter belts. Hv v In use, the garment 14) is placed on the body of the wearer, thebelt 11 encircling thewaist thereof and 'retaining the bodyrportion 14in proper position. The left leg of the wearer extends through theopening defined by the body portion 14 and the strap 16, the strap 16extending below the left buttock of the wearer. The pad 19 thus engagesthe underside of the hip of the wearer and is pulled into firm contacttherewith by the lifting action of the belt 11 and the body portion 14.With the hip supporting means positioned firmly on the wearer, it isseen that the pad 19 forms a lift for the left hip (as seen in Fig. 2)and actually tends to lift the hip upwardly. Since the material formingthe body portion is sufficiently rigid to retain the pad 18 firmlyagainst the underside of the hip of the wearer, a firm support isprovided. If required, according to the case, bones or stays may beinserted in the body portion 14 of the hip support to increase thelifting action thereof, as will be described hereinafter.

As shown in Fig. 4, when the wearer is in the sitting position, the pad19 contacts the underside of the hip and thus tends to elevate the hip.When the wearer is in the standing position (Fig. 1), it is seen thatthe firmer the fitting of the strap 16 the better lifting actionobtained. It is apparent that by use of the hip supporting devicedescribed above, hip fatigue and pain resulting from hip displacementare thereby avoided or considerably alleviated.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, a modified form of the invention isillustrated and includes a double hip supporting garment. The double hipsupporting garment is indicated generally at 24 and includes a bodyportion 26 that is joined to a belt 28 that is adapted to encircle thebody of the wearer. The body portion 26 completely encircles theabdominal regions of the wearer in much the manner of a corset and therear region thereof extends below the front portion, terminating at thebuttocks. Joined to the body portion 26 and extending front to rearthereof are adjacent straps 30 and 32 which are of a sufficient width toreceive pads 34 and 36, respectively, that are positioned in appropriatepockets formed in the straps 30, 32. The pads 34 and 36, which aresecured to the straps 30, 32 are substantially similar to pad 19 and areformed of a spongy resilient material. If desired, a stay 38 may bemounted in the body portion 26, thereby increasing the stiffening actionof the garment and aiding in elevating the hip of the wearer. Theapplication of stays, of course, will depend on the requirements of thewearer. Hooks 39 may also be secured to the front and rear of the belt28 and are located just above the stays 38. The hooks 39 may be used byboth men and women wearer's, being adapted to receive suspender strapsif a man, or the lower end of a brassiere strap if a woman, thesuspenders or brassiere strap thus aiding in effecting a lifting action.

In order to conveniently apply the garment to the wearer, the bodyportion 26 is split at the rear thereof and is provided with a zipper40. In use, the hip supporting device 24 is conveniently put on by thewearer by opening the Zipper 40, stepping into the garment and placingthe legs between the openings formed by the straps 30, 32 and the bodyportion 26. The pads 34 and 36 contact the underside of the hips of thewearer in the region of the lower buttocks, thereby acting to elevatethe hips in a supporting manner. As illustrated in Fig. 7, when thewearer is located in a sitting position, the pads 32 and 34 arepositioned directly under the hips and thereby act to support the hipsin this position. It is seen that the double supporting device isespecially designed to assist in relieving fatigue of those individualswho are subjected to long periods of standing and'walking and whose bodyexerts considerable pressure on the hips. By wearing the device shown inFigs. 6 and 7, the pressure is considerably relieved.

Referring now to Fig. 8,'a further modified form of the presentinvention is illustrated and includes a hip supporting garment generallyindicated at 42. The hip supporting garment 42 is relatively simple ascompared to the hip supporting means illustrated in Figs. l-5 and Figs.7 and 8 and includes a belt 44 that is adapted to encircle the waist ofthe wearer. Joined to the belt 44 at the front and rear thereof arenarrow body portions 46 and 47. Joined to the body portions 46 and 47 ina continuous manner is a strap 48 that is of sufiicient width to receivea pad 49. The pad 49 is located in a pocket formed on the strap 46 andis formed of a spongy material and, as described above, is adapted toengage the underside of the hip of the wearer.

It is seen that in use the hip supporting garment 42 is applied to thewearer by encircling the waist thereof with the belt 44, positioning thestrap 48 as illustrated in Fig. 8 so that the pad 49 contacts theunderside of the hip in the region of the buttock and is thereby adaptedto elevate the hip. The degree of lift in this construction is somewhatless than in the device described above, but the device is lessconfining and is particularly useful for those individuals requiringonly a nominal support.

A further modified form of the present invention is illustrated in Figs.9 and 10 and includes a body portion 50 that is joined to a waistencircling belt 52. Joined to the body portion 50 and extending front torear thereof is a strap 54, the strap 54 having mounted thereon a spongypad 56 that is adapted to engage the underside of the hip of the wearer.To provide for adjustment of the strap 54, a zipper 58 is positionedtransversely of the strap 54 and thereby enables the strap to be movedslightly when the garment is on the wearer. As illustrated in Fig. 10,the zipper58 has been opened and the strap 54 is thereby capable ofbeing loosened and moved as, for example, when the wearer is seekingrelief or adjusting to size.

The form of invention illustrated in section in Fig. 5 comprises asingle volume of padding material 19 within the pocket 18. When thisvolume of padding material is in the form of an integral pad and it isfound after use that additional adjustment is required, the modifiedform of the invention illustrated in fragmentary detail in Fig. 11 maybe utilized which comprises the strap 16 to which is secured therelatively large pocket 18 within which is placed the pad 19. Inaddition, there is provided therebelow and facing inwardly the pocket18b which is adapted to envelope a smaller pad 18a. The small pad 18a isadapted to be inserted within the pocket 18b through the opening at 18bprior to the insertion of the pad 19 within the pocket 18.

It is also contemplated to provide the single hip supports shown inFigs. l5 and 8-10 with a zipper attachment, that would be secured to thefront portion of the supporting strap. By providing such a construction,a single hip support could be modified to include a double hip supportby simply securing another strap to the as-' sembly by means of thezipper.

It is seen that the hip supporting garments described above provide asimple, yet elfective, device for relieving pressures on the hips ofthose individuals who suffer from hip fatigue. The hips are elevated bythe lifting action of the straps and thus tend to relieve the pressureexerted on the hip such as, for example, when there is a physicaldisplacement thereof.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention and thereforethe invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hip supporting device, a belt, a body portion joined to saidbelt and depending therefrom, a strap secured to said body portion andextending front to rear thereof, said strap and body portion defining anopening for receiving the leg of the wearer of the device, a resilientpad secured to said strap and extending substantially the width thereof,said pad positioned immediately adjacent the underside of the hip of thewearer when said device is in the position of use, said pad cooperatingwith said strap, body portion and belt to effect a lifting action,thereby relieving pressures exerted on the wearers hip.

2. In a hip supporting device, a belt, a body portion joined to saidbelt and adapted to extend substantially over the hips of the wearer ofsaid device, a pair of straps joined to said body portion and extendingfront to rear thereof, said straps and body portion defining openingsfor receiving the legs of said wearer, each of said straps having apocket formed thereon slightly displaced to the rear thereof, a paddisposed in each of said pockets, said pads being positioned immediatelyadjacent the underside of the hips of the wearer and cooperating withsaid straps, body portion and belt to effect a lifting action on saidhips, thereby acting to relieve pressures exerted on said hips.

3. In a hip supporting device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bodyportion is formed with a zipper closure located at the rear thereof,said zipper closure enabling said device to be easily applied to andremoved from the wearer.

4. In a hip supporting device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bodyportion is provided with stays for adding rigidity thereto, therebyaiding in the lifting action of said device.

5. In a hip supporting device, a belt, a body portion secured to saidbelt and having a strap secured thereto, a pad positioned on said strapand located immediately adjacent the underside of the hip of the wearerof said device, said pad cooperating with said strap, body portion andbelt to aid in relieving pressures exerted on the 6 hip of the wearer,said strap being formed in overlapping folds of material, saidoverlapping folds providing for relief for said wearer.

6. In a hip supporting device as set forth in claim 5, wherein saidstrap is formed with a laterally extending zipper portion, said zipperportion providing for adjustability of said strap.

7. In a hip supporting device, a body portion, a strap secured to saidbody portion and extending from front to rear thereof to define a legreceiving opening therewith, a pocket formed on said strap, and acushion material disposed in said pocket to define a pad, said pad beingpositioned slightly to the rear of said strap and located immediatelyadjacent the underside of the hip of the wearer, said device therebyacting to exert a lifting action on said hip to relieve body pressuresthereon.

8. In a hip supporting device, a garment comprising a waist encirclingbelt, a body portion joined to said belt and depending therefrom, astrap secured to said body portion at the ends thereof and having a padsecured thereto, said pad being positioned slightly toward the rear ofsaid strap and adapted to contact the underside of the hip of the wearerof said garment, said belt and body portion acting to exert a liftingaction on said strap, thereby tending to relieve pressures on said hip,said strap provided with a pocket on the inner side thereof forreceiving said pad, said pocket being provided on its interior with asecond pocket, a second pad within said second pocket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS244,561 Diel July 19, 1881 741,521 Martin Oct. 13, 1903 2,022,474 MillerNov. 26, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 506,372 Canada Oct. 12, 1954

